Author Information

We appreciate Dr. Vorobiof's comments regarding our recent paper (1). Although he found the paper “informative” and believes it enhanced his understanding, he wishes it had been written by authors free of potential financial conflicts of interest.

Potential conflicts of interest are ubiquitous in medicine (and life). Most clinical research involves collaboration between physicians and industry, many National Institutes of Health-sponsored clinical trials include industry support, and the majority of manuscript reviewers considered “expert” on a particular topic also have potential conflicts. To deal with this complex issue, the American College of Cardiology Foundation and the American Heart Association (2), the Heart Editors Action Roundtable (3), and the Journal (4,5) all mandate full disclosure of any potential financial conflicts of interest at the time of manuscript submission, a policy with which we were compliant. To our knowledge, no one besides Dr. Vorobiof has suggested that authors with potential conflicts of interest be excluded from publishing in medical journals. To do so would virtually abolish published scientific reports, to the great detriment of medical science.

Finally, we want to correct the assertion that our manuscript was solicited by the Journal. It was not. Additionally, no industry representative suggested, supported, or reviewed the manuscript. Our principal “conflict of interest” is the safety and well being of patients, to whom we are morally and professionally obligated to provide the best care possible. If ultrasound contrast agents were unsafe for clinical use, we would be the first to demand their removal from the market.

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